Department of Parks and Recreation Seattle Board of Park Commissioners Meeting Minutes July 26, 2007 Board of Park Commissioners: Present: Neal Adams John Barber Terry Holme Jackie Ramels, Acting chair Excused: Amit Ranade, Chair Seattle Parks and Recreation Staff: B.J. Brooks, Interim Superintendent Sandy Brooks, Park Board Coordinator Commissioner Ramels called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. In separate motions Commissioner Holme moved, and Commissioner Adams seconded, approval of the agenda, June 28 minutes, and July 12 minutes as corrected. Motions carried. Commissioner Ramels acknowledged the correspondence the Board has received during the past two weeks. Superintendent’s Report Interim Deputy Superintendent B.J. Brooks reported on several park items. For more information on Seattle Parks and Recreation, please visit the web pages at http://www.seattle.gov/parks/. Aquarium Revenues Soar: The Aquarium had a very successful re-opening in June with several new and exciting exhibits. Revenues are up 48 percent over the same time last year: revenue for June 2006 was $453,000 and $673,000 for June 2007. Aquarium Director John Braden and his staff are doing a great job! For more information on the Aquarium, see http://www.seattleaquarium.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?&pid=183&srcid=-2. Northwest Seaport Notified to Remove Wawona: Last week Parks sent a letter to Northwest Seaport notifying the organization leadership that it needs to begin working with the City immediately to remove the Schooner Wawona from Lake Union Park. Construction at the park has reached a critical phase, necessitating the removal of the ship by mid- October. Parks is working closely with Seattle Parks Foundation and the park planners. For more information on Lake Union Park, see http://www.seattle.gov/parks/parkspaces/lakeunionpark.htm. For more information on the Wawona, see http://www.nwseaport.org/wawona.html. Parks Holds Successful Summer Concerts: Parks is holding summer concerts at Cal Anderson Park, Golden Gardens Bathhouse, and Othello Parks, as well as showing movies and scheduling buskers and other events in the downtown parks. Events have been highly successful and well attended. Approximately 700 people attended the Cal Anderson concert, 200 people came to the Golden Gardens event, and Othello Park was overflowing with concert goers. The concerts continue on August 12 and September 9. For more information on the concerts and other summer events in Seattle’s parks, see http://www.seattle.gov/parks/SummerInTheCity.htm. Lower Woodland Skatepark: Following a citizen lawsuit and a ruling this week, construction will begin on the new skatepark in mid-August. Parks will issue the notice to proceed to the contractor within the next two weeks. For more information on the skatepark, see http://www.seattle.gov/parks/maintenance/lowerwoodland.htm. Commissioner Holme asked if this is the end of the lawsuit and Interim Superintendent Brooks answered that it isn’t a final resolution; however, the City’s attorneys believe Parks will receive a favorable ruling. She feels comfortable moving ahead with the construction. Commissioner Holme asked that the Board be kept informed of the lawsuit and be sent a copy of the latest ruling. Parks staff will send this information to the Board. International District Pro Parks Acquisition: The Parks, Education, Library and Labor, committee (PELL) voted to support expansion of Hing Hay Park through the acquisition of the adjacent post office property by negotiation or condemnation. The full City Council must also vote on this. Interim Superintendent Brooks will keep the Board informed on progress of this acquisition. Freeway Park Update: Parks staff gave an update to the Freeway Park Neighborhood Association (FPNA) regarding the progress and plans for capital improvements to the park. Programming at Freeway Park is also going well. Lunchtime events include a vendor, the popular Friends of the Library book sale cart, and either a musical performer (amplified to overcome the noise of the fountains and traffic) or a free weekly tai chi class (which had 12 participants last week.) FPNA, Parks, and Downtown Seattle Association have worked as a team to set up Dancing ‘Til Dusk five Thursday evenings of free dance instruction and dance time with live music and an outdoor dance floor. Starting on August 2, each Thursday night will feature a different dance style ranging from waltz to Zydeco and salsa to swing. For more information on Freeway Park, see http://www.seattle.gov/parks/parkspaces/FreewayPark.htm. Upcoming Events Pinehurst Pocket Park: The dedication and celebration for Pinehurst Pocket Park is scheduled for Saturday, July 28, at 11:00 a.m. at 11700 19th Ave. N.E. The Pro Parks Levy Opportunity Fund contributed $100,000 toward the construction of a quiet park featuring native plants, a plaza incorporating children's games in its surface, and several pieces of custom art. Oral Requests and Communication from the Audience The Chair explained that this portion of the agenda is reserved for topics that have not had, or are not scheduled for, a public hearing. Speakers are limited to three minutes each and will be timed. The Board’s usual process is for 15 minutes of testimony to be heard at this time, with additional testimony heard after the regular agenda and just before Board of Park Commissioner’s business. No one signed up to testify. Update Briefing/Public Hearing: Dexter Pit Project At its June 28 meeting, Patrick Donahue, Seattle Parks’ project manager, presented a briefing on the Dexter Pit Project. Tonight he gave the Board updated information, immediately followed by a public hearing. Verbal Update Briefing and Board Discussion Mr. Donahue introduced Mark Brands of SiteWorkshop, project consultant, and Kelly Davidson of the Seattle Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs. The Board heard a briefing on this project at its June 28 meeting. Minutes of that meeting are available at http://www.seattle.gov/parks/ParkBoard/minutes/2007/06-28-07.pdf. Mr. Donahue reported no changes to the 2 project since that briefing. He presented the project overview in a Powerpoint presentation and briefly described the project background, concept development, concept plan view, benches, bioswale, gambion walls, and the walking paths. Board Questions/Comments Gambion walls: Mr. Donahue pointed out the proposed location of the gambion walls. These walls are constructed of gravel enclosed in mesh wire and will mimic the history of the site as a gravel quarry. Commissioner Adams asked if the gambion wall will be low maintenance. Mr. Donahue answered that the wall has a 30-year lifespan and unless they are vandalized, the maintenance should be low. Artwork: Commissioner Barber asked if the artist will guarantee the integrity of the art piece. Mr. Donahue answered that the stainless steel has a lifespan of 30 years. Ms. Davidson commented that the artwork is guaranteed for two years, which is the City’s standard for art projects. Wetland designation: The site is currently designated as a wetland, with the very lowest rating that can still be designated a wetland. Parks has been told by the Corp of Engineers that it cannot add water sources in the future to keep the site as a wetland and cannot ask for it to be reclassified. Tree removal/modification: Commissioner Barber referred to the concept drawing showing the trees to be limbed, with vegetation remaining nearer the tops of the trees. Mr. Brands answered that he does not expect the limbing to be to the height depicted in the concept plan. The plan calls for approximately 1/3 of the trees (total of seven) to be removed and some limbing performed so Seattle Police Department can see into the park and increase safety. Vegetation/buffer: Mr. Donahue commented that the center of the park is very quiet and located away from traffic. Commissioner Barber asked if the intent is for it to be a meditative spot and Mr. Donahue answered yes. Commissioner Holmes commented that Commissioners previously were told that the artist would like the blackberries to remain right next to the gambion walls. He urged that a vegetation buffer be included in the project. Mr. Donahue and Mr. Brands answered that there are extensive blackberry vines in the site which will be removed to 20’ from the gambion walls. The long-term goal is to remove all the blackberries and other invasive plants; however, the budget does not allow for that at this time. The current plan is to leave the remaining blackberries and keep them from reinvading the buffer and park area. Native plants will be planted to help deter the blackberries. Volunteers will be solicited to help with the invasive removal. Maintenance funds: Commissioner Ramels asked if the $750,000 budget includes any maintenance funds and Mr. Donahue answered that $12,000 is slated for maintenance. Outlook: Commissioner Adams asked if there are any major barriers to this project. Mr. Donahue answered no, the project is moving in the right direction. There is a long permit process ahead before any construction begins. Public Hearing The public hearing began. Speakers were reminded that they have up to three minutes each to speak and will be timed. Seven citizens testified. Don Harper: He is a member of the Queen Anne Community Council and the Seattle Parks Pro Parks Levy Oversight Committee. He was very surprised at the beginning of this Pro Parks Levy project to learn that the Queen Anne Community Council was not involved. Parks’ initial public involvement effort for this project was poor. However, he is now impressed with the project that is being presented. He thanked Mr. Donahue, Ms. Davidson, Mr. Brands, and the artist, Andy Cao, for their work to bring the project to this point.